SCN Hybrid World: Workplace Products and Expert Tips
by Wayne Cavadi ( SCN )
From crystal-clear sound to high-quality video the SCN Hybrid World dives into the new-look meeting spaces and classrooms.
(Image credit: Shure)
Welcome to hybrid life, 2022. Whether you’re in the classroom or conference room, you now have to consider both remote and in-person participants. That makes having pristine sound and high-performing video equipment more important than ever.
Systems Contractor News looks into just a few of these solutions in our newest series: SCN Hybrid World. Starting with speakerphones, we look to provide a list of resources and solutions with tips from the experts behind some the biggest names and products on the market.
This article will be updated with new products and features, so be sure to check back often.
Speakerphones for Today's Workspace
(Image credit: Atlona)
As workplaces slowly begin to fill up once again, conferencing in the new normal has a different look. Whether it’s a conference room, workspace, or home office, speakerphones need to be flexible for the hybrid age and accommodate both the remote and in-person employee.
The meeting space itself has also changed. “I think our mindset has changed so much to automatically select larger distances from people and that’s a part of COVID that will stay with us,” said Holger Stoltze, senior director of technical sales and marketing for Yamaha Unified Communication. “And that means the open meeting space is growing. The whole audio and noise problem becomes a completely new one in that environment.”
Having the right speakerphone with high-quality audio for those present and connected to the call is imperative—but that doesn’t mean manufacturers had to reinvent the wheel. “It’s not so much new technology as it is leveraging a familiar tool in new ways,” said Lauren Simmen, director of product marketing for Crestron. “Having a phone that allows for a conversation that’s separated from the laptop you’re using to take notes or adjust that critical PowerPoint can be a really efficient means of communication.”
Look Up, Listen Up with These Ceiling Mics
Having crystal-clear audio is more important than ever, with those calling in not wanting to miss anything their in-person colleagues have to say. That's where ceiling microphones and beamforming technology come into play.
Simply put, a beamforming mic is “an array of microphones that use a beamforming algorithm to combine the signal of separate mics into a
single stronger output signal," according to Chris Swartz, product manager for Sony Electronics. However, not all beamforming mics are the same.
Finding the right beamforming ceiling microphone is good for a wide variety of use cases, be it in an educational or corporate setting. Along with beamforming technology, there are quite a few benefits ceiling mics offer versus other types of conferencing equipment.
Seeing Is Believing with These Conference Cameras
(Image credit: NexiGo)
The hybrid life is not only upon us, but seemingly here to stay. Seeing and being seen are important parts of the new age of conferencing and collaboration, because it keeps participants—from colleagues to students—engaged and actively part of the conversation.
Every environment is a little different. Corporate presentations in large boardrooms may need a different approach than those for smaller huddle rooms. So, where do you even begin to look for the right solution?
“There are a number of things to consider,” explained Tony McCool, country manager for MAXHUB UCC solutions. "What is the size of the room? How many people will be in meetings? Where is the preferred camera location? What platform will you be using, or will you need flexibility of platforms? Do you want a dedicated room solution, or will you use your own laptop? Will meeting participants wish to share content from their laptops or mobile devices on to the display? Once we know these answers, we can then progress to understanding the ideal camera solutions.”